A dyslexic construction worker from the UK invented a simple tool to solve a problem every tradesperson faces, walked into Dragons Den terrified, got offers from all five Dragons, and chose Deborah Meaden as his partner. The MarXman pen is one of the great underdog success stories from the Den. Here is what happened to MarXman after Dragons Den.
What Is MarXman?
MarXman is a unique marking tool designed for tradespeople and DIY enthusiasts. With one push, it releases a burst of bright fluorescent chalk spray that clearly marks any surface, whether it is tiles, wood, metal, pebble dash, or plasterboard. The chalk mark even glows in the dark.
The tool solves a problem that every builder, electrician, and plumber knows too well. When you are trying to mark a drilling position through the holes of a fixture, pencils break, felt tips dry out, and drill bits slip. MarXman eliminates all of that with a simple, accurate spray.
Martin Chard, a self-employed building maintenance worker for over 30 years, invented MarXman after struggling to mark a drilling position while fitting a sink. He spent years developing the product, going through multiple prototypes before arriving at the final design. His wife and business partner Jenny David helped him turn the invention into a business.
Martin is dyslexic and has Asperger’s syndrome. He has spoken publicly about being made to feel stupid throughout his life. The MarXman invention and its success gave him the last laugh.
The Dragons Den Pitch
Martin and Jenny appeared on Season 14 of Dragons Den seeking £50,000 for 20% equity. By their own admission, the pitch started terrifyingly. They were nervous and the Den can be an intimidating place for anyone, let alone someone with no previous business experience.
But the product spoke for itself. The Dragons were genuinely impressed by how simple and effective MarXman was. The demonstration showed clearly how it solved a real, everyday problem.
In a rare moment on the show, all five Dragons made offers. Martin and Jenny chose Deborah Meaden, who offered £50,000 for 30% equity. Deborah was drawn to the product’s simplicity and the fact that Martin had protected it with patents in key territories.
What Happened After Dragons Den?
The partnership with Deborah Meaden proved to be transformative for MarXman. Deborah brought business expertise and connections that Martin and Jenny lacked, and she helped them scale the business rapidly.
Following the Dragons Den appearance and the media coverage that came with it, sales of MarXman rocketed. The product was picked up by Wickes, one of the UK’s largest DIY retailers, and has since expanded into DIY and building supply stores across the country.
The brand is protected by patents in key territories and MarXman is a registered trademark, helping to safeguard what has become a market worth millions of pounds. Deborah has described the investment as one she is particularly proud of, noting that “often the best inventions come from an individual who doesn’t just complain about a problem but who sets out to solve it.”
Martin and Jenny continue to run the business, and the product remains available through their website and major UK retailers. The MarXman has become a staple tool for tradespeople across the country.
MarXman Net Worth 2026
As of 2026, MarXman has an estimated net worth of over £1 million. The company has grown from a garden shed invention into a nationally distributed product stocked in major retail chains.
Martin Chard spent his whole life being made to feel stupid because of his dyslexia and Asperger’s. Then he invented something that every tradesperson in the country wishes they had thought of first, got all five Dragons fighting to invest, and built a business worth over a million pounds. That is a proper Dragons Den success story.